150 THE BEGINNERS GARDEN BOOK 



should advise its being made of either cypress, chestnut, or 

 hemlock, the woods which last best under ground. The 

 wood should be two inches thick if we can afford it, but all 

 this depends on how much we are willing to pay. If there 

 are old boards at hand, of any kind or thickness, we may 

 well make the sub-frame, and the top-frame as well, of these, 

 and save up for the time when we may have to replace them. 

 Fasten the sub-frame at the corners (if bolted, it can more 

 easily be taken apart) to stout joists which extend a few 

 inches higher. These corner posts will keep the upper frame 

 in place. Sink the sub-frame with its top on a level with the 

 ground. 



But where shall we place it ? For convenience, of course, 

 near the house. It should, however, have full sunshine for 

 as much of the day as possible, and so should be on the 

 southerly side of the house, with no trees overhanging. Do 

 not put the frame snug against the house if you can help it : 

 the drip from the eaves is troublesome ; and again, you will 

 often wish to get at the plants from behind. Face the frame 

 squarely to the south (if you vary this at all, it must be only 

 a little toward the east) so that the sash shall get the sun 

 properly. But though there is to be nothing between the 

 frame and the sun, there ought to be a protection between it 

 and the wind. On the northerly or northwesterly sides, or 

 both, secure a windbreak if you can. It may be the house, 

 or a fence, or even evergreens cut and set in the ground. 

 This will keep out the wind, and catch and hold the sun in a 

 warm place. 



Before winter, also, we decide upon our soil. Best is a 

 mixture of equal parts of leaf-mold, well-rotted manure 

 (horse and cow manure in equal parts, if possible), and 

 good garden loam, with a shovelful of sand for every barrow- 

 load of the mixture. The result, a medium earth that 



